Born in Cheltenham, Ian read theology at Keble College, Oxford. Raised an Anglican he served as an ordained minister before joining the Roman Catholic Church in 1991. He was first fascinated by icons in a visit to Greece in 1979, and for many years wrote icons as an amateur. Having completed a course with Fr Egon Sendler in Paris and an apprenticeship under Aidan Hart, he now works as an iconographer full-time. He has examples of his work in various private collections and churches, including that of the President of Ireland. He has also been involved with several church refurbishment projects in the UK.